THE largest cruise ships in the world can now dock at Dover for the first time.
The busy port in has undergone a huge renovation which means it can now welcome bigger cruise ships.
The upgrades cost more than £6million and involved expanding the mooring facilities of two of its berths.
They were made larger to accommodate ships of up to 350 metres in length overall for the first time.
Previously, only cruise ships with a maximum length of 320m could moor at Dover.
A statement from the Port of Dover following the upgrade said that it can now welcome “some of the largest cruise ships in the world”;.
They will have room for bigger ships from the likes of , MSC, and .
Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover, added: “Our 2025 season is in full swing, and we already see a diverse range of cruise ships bringing in thousands of guests each week during high season.
“Our vision for cruise will ensure that Dover remains at the forefront of the sector, whilst delivering economic across the region.”;
The Port of Dover is the second-largest cruise port in the UK with two passenger terminals.
Prior to the upgrade, they welcomed over 200,000 cruise passengers per year and had more than 20 cruise ships docking in Dover.
On some of their busiest weekends, up to 8,000 passengers descended into the region to visit Kent's major landmarks, like the of Dover.
The port is a popular departure spot for liners such as , Fred Olsen, Holland America Line, Saga and .
Last month, the port welcomed new ship Viking Vela for its first UK call
Four cruise ships – Viking Jupiter, Viking Saturn, Viking Sky and Viking Vela – will sail to Dover this year for a total of 19 calls as part of its to and British Isles sailings.
The project is part of the a bigger renovation plan to develop the entire seafront – called “Port of Dover 2050”.
Plans are part of expansion to turn the area into a “regional tourist destination”.
The waterfront will be revamped in the multi-million pound regeneration and the promenade across Waterloo Crescent will get new pathways and play areas.
A new commercial quarter in Dover will have new cafés and restaurants.
The project does not have a confirmed cost, but it's expected to cost hundreds of millions with £500million invested across Dover's renovation.
In other news, Dover's Maison Dieu, a Grade-I listed town hall, will open to the public next year for the first time in its 800 years.
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